Quarterback David Garrard has retired, but the New York Jets have offered him a coaching internship / Sam Greenwood, Getty Images

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

by Jim Corbett, USA TODAY Sports

David Garrard is strongly considering returning to the New York Jets in training camp this summer - as a quarterback coaching intern, saying emphatically that his degenerative left knee, not the drafting of Geno Smith, forced him Wednesday to tell general manager John Idzik, coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg that he was retiring.

As a veteran quarterback who had a chance to work alongside Smith - and hopes to continue mentoring him this summer - does Garrard believe the former West Virginia passer has the mental toughness and leader's presence to win a two-man duel between the rookie and embattled Mark Sanchez?

"I think Geno's going to be great,'' Garrard told USA TODAY Sports on Thursday. "He still has a lot to learn in the NFL. He definitely has to work. But he has what it takes. Now he has to go out and prove it.

"The one thing the kid has is he's definitely the guy of the future. He'll get a whole lot more attention from the fans, because they definitely want to see that new guy, especially since Mark has had a rough (52 combined turnovers) couple of years.''

Garrard, 35, said he didn't witness any of the diva traits that anonymous sources have accused Smith of possessing. Critics blasted Smith for firing his agents after he slid into the second round of the draft.

In fact, Garrard said Smith has something extra to fuel him given that painful slide out of the first round to No. 39 overall where the Jets stopped his slide.

"He has that chip on his shoulder,'' Garrard said. "Sometimes you need a little bit of that. Just look at Aaron Rodgers. It really comes down to the way they (Smith and Sanchez) play in the preseason. I really can't say who's going to have the upper hand. The competition is truly open.

"Geno had none of the signs of the negative things the media was talking about him. He didn't try and big-time you. He was very attentive, never shrugged you off. He told me he was excited to work with me. He definitely had the makeup I saw in college - worked his butt off and was a field general out there.''

Many believed Garrard would keep the job warm for Smith, much like Kurt Warner did for Eli Manning. But the retirement changes the Jets' quarterback dynamics, and Garrard isn't counting Sanchez out - saying if he approaches training camp with a make-or-break, let-it-fly attitude, he could still be the guy.

"If he goes out there as the vet and gets back to just playing ball and not thinking too much on the field, he's going to make it tough on (the coaching staff),'' Garrard said. "It's up to those guys (Smith and Sanchez), the way they carry themselves and handle the offense, really putting points on the board and winning ballgames.

"So when they get to the preseason, it's really going to show who should be the guy.''

When asked Thursday about Garrard's announcement, Sanchez said it was "a little bit abrupt. He worked hard and he had a great attitude. He was one of those guys I felt I could bounce some ideas off, having that experience.

"It was tough to see a guy go like that. You just wish him the best, health-wise first. He had a good career, played for a long time in this league and did a heck of a job. It was great to be around him for the short time I had with him and I wish him nothing but the best."

Sanchez added, "Nothing's changed. My mind-set's the same - stay focused, master this offense, work on the fundamentals, be as accurate as possible, take care of the football and lead this team."

Garrard said he doesn't expect the Jets to bring in another contender to join third-year quarterback Greg McElroy and second-year pro Matt Simms, son of former New York Giants star Phil Simms.

"I'm not sure if they want to add any more controversy,'' Garrard said. "They're trying to do their best to stay out of the limelight. I didn't make it any better by retiring. I imagine they're probably going to keep the quarterback number where they're at.''

Garrard said he doesn't require surgery on his left knee, which had arthroscopic surgery when he was cut last summer by the Miami Dolphins. He said he may face knee replacement surgery in the future, but he wants to spend quality time with his three young children and that's why he chose to walk away before things got worse.

Garrard's wife, Mary, gave birth to the couple's third child six weeks ago.

"I'm done, the knee is only going to get worse. My decision had nothing to do with them drafting Geno,'' Garrard said. "I thought this is going to be great after working a few days with Geno. And Mark was great to me, too. We were starting to build a little bond.

"It was strictly my knee and the way that I was performing. When my knee was swollen every fourth day or so, I couldn't do anything. That was the deciding factor. It was hard. But I held back the tears. I'm just happy and excited to move on with my next chapter in life.''

Garrard, 39-37 as a starter in Jacksonville, is done as an NFL quarterback after nine seasons. But he is considering the Jets' offer to work with their four quarterbacks.

"The Jets offered me the chance to come back if I want to take a shot at that coaching thing with an internship in training camp,'' Garrard said. "I told them I'd talk with my wife about it, so I could still work with those guys. "It's definitely something I'm considering.''

Sanchez sent a text message to Garrard on Wednesday, saying how much he appreciated working with him, and former Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins quarterback Donovan McNabb reached out to Garrard and was supportive through Garrard's decision-making process.

"Donovan was really talking to me yesterday to see where my mind was at, saying, 'You've done great. Keep your head up and don't feel bad about anything. You've had a great career,''' Garrard said. "I really appreciate those words from him, because I watched him my whole career.''

"I'm 35. I'm no young pup anymore. My body doesn't recoup as fast as it used to. I'm going forward with my next chapter.''

Which could mean he'll still be a Jet - just on the sideline this summer in Cortland, N.Y.